The New York Liberty continued their strong start to the 2026 WNBA season with a commanding 84–74 victory over the Phoenix Mercury on Thursday night at Barclays Center. The Liberty improved to an early-season winning record behind a balanced offensive attack and a stifling defensive effort that held the Mercury in check for most of the contest.
Match Overview
From the opening tip, New York set the tone on both ends of the floor. The Liberty raced to a 12-point lead by halftime, capitalizing on fast-break opportunities and second-chance points. Phoenix, however, refused to go quietly. Led by their veteran backcourt, the Mercury cut the deficit to single digits in the third quarter, but the Liberty responded with timely three-pointers and crucial defensive stops down the stretch.
- Final Score: New York Liberty 84 – Phoenix Mercury 74
- Date: May 28, 2026
- Venue: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York
- Attendance: 9,843 (sellout)
Key Moments That Decided the Game
The Liberty’s ability to control the paint proved decisive. New York outscored Phoenix 38–26 in the paint and collected 14 offensive rebounds, leading to 18 second-chance points. A pivotal stretch came midway through the fourth quarter when the Mercury had closed to within four points. Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu drilled a step-back three, then forced a turnover on the defensive end that led to a fast-break layup, pushing the lead back to nine and effectively sealing the game.
Phoenix struggled with foul trouble in the second half, and the Liberty capitalized at the free-throw line, converting 20 of 24 attempts. The Mercury, by contrast, managed only 12 trips to the stripe.
Standout Players
New York Liberty: Breanna Stewart led all scorers with 26 points, adding 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Ionescu contributed a near triple-double with 18 points, 10 assists, and 8 rebounds. Forward Jonquel Jones anchored the defense with 3 blocks and 11 boards.
Phoenix Mercury: Diana Taurasi, in her final season, poured in 22 points and dished out 6 assists. Brittney Griner added 18 points and 8 rebounds, but the Liberty’s double-teams limited her impact in the fourth quarter.
Season and Table Impact
The win lifted the Liberty into sole possession of second place in the WNBA standings early in the season, behind only the defending champion Las Vegas Aces. For Phoenix, the loss dropped them to 1–2 on a three-game road trip. The Mercury will look to regroup as they return home to face the Seattle Storm next week.
This contest reinforced New York’s reputation as a serious title contender. With Stewart and Ionescu playing at an MVP level and a deep supporting cast, the Liberty appear poised for another deep playoff run.
New York Liberty vs Phoenix Mercury Live Score, Stats & Results
Match Overview
The New York Liberty vs Phoenix Mercury fixture is part of the WNBA during the 2026 season. Follow live scores, WNBA fixtures, match statistics, WNBA standings and WNBA match results for New York Liberty vs Phoenix Mercury on Tiger Scores 365.
Head-to-Head Record
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Team Form
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WNBA Standings
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Match Statistics
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